O'Donnell learned his bowling in St. Louis and soon developed enough skill to join the famous Hermann Undertakers. He later moved to Detroit and was a standout on the E&B and Pfeiffers teams before returning to St. Louis to open a bowling supply store. The two-time USBC Open Championships titlist was a member of the Budweiser lineup of Pat Patterson, Don Carter, Bill Lillard, Dick Weber, Ray Bluth and Tom Hennessey, all of whom are in the Hall. Ironically, the night the Buds bowled the record 3,858 series, O'Donnell was captain of the opposing Pulaski Savings team which had a 3,494 total.